The New Orleans Pelicans just proved how tight the Western Conference is. They managed to upset the second-best team in the East, the Milwaukee Bucks. During the 107-100 game, NOLA managed to control the pace from the second quarter. Zion Williamson was as dominant as he could be. But it was Jonas Valanciunas who truly gave the Pelicans a victory.
Zion Williamson bullies Giannis Antetokounmpo in the paint and gets the and-1 💪pic.twitter.com/ZQ0EyfCtGB
— Pelicans Nation (@PelsNationCP) March 29, 2024
Valanciunas had an outstanding second quarter that gave the Pelicans a sizeable lead. Williamson took over from there and got some help from CJ McCollum as well. NOLA currently ranks fifth in the West with a 45-28 record. Milwaukee ranks second behind the Boston Celtics with a 46-27 record.
New Orleans Pelicans player stats
It was a defensive masterclass conducted by the Pelicans against the Bucks. Herbert Jones recorded 4 steals and 3 blocks while Larry Nance Jr. contributed 3 steals from the bench. NOLA recorded 5 blocks and 11 steals during the game. They shot 39.6% from the field, 25% from deep, and 79.4% from the free throw line. Williamson led the team with 28 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists.
Player | Minutes | Points | Assists | Rebounds |
Trey Murphy III | 39 | 15 | 5 | 11 |
Zion Williamson | 33 | 28 | 2 | 5 |
Jonas Valanciunas | 23 | 17 | 1 | 10 |
CJ McCollum | 39 | 25 | 7 | 7 |
Herbert Jones | 37 | 11 | 4 | 4 |
Lance Nance Jr. | 25 | 9 | 3 | 7 |
Neji Marshall | 23 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Jordan Hawkins | 15 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
Matt Ryan | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Valanciunas had 17 points and 10 rebounds while Trey Murphy III contributed 15 points and 11 rebounds with 5 assists. CJ McCollum had 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists during the game shooting 3-9 from deep. Jones recorded 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists as well.
Milwaukee Bucks player stats
At this point, the future does not look promising for the Bucks. Their loss against the Pelicans ought to be a wake-up call for Doc Rivers. They shot 46.3% from the field, 35.9% from deep, and 52.6% from the free throw line. The Bucks were defensively absent from the game through its entirety. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 35 points and 14 rebounds.
Player | Minutes | Points | Assists | Rebounds |
Brook Lopez | 37 | 7 | 1 | 5 |
Damian Lillard | 36 | 20 | 7 | 5 |
Giannis Antetokounmpo | 39 | 35 | 4 | 14 |
Malik Beasley | 33 | 20 | 0 | 2 |
Jae Crowder | 15 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
Bobby Portis Jr. | 16 | 5 | 0 | 7 |
Pat Connaughton | 22 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
Patrick Beverley | 7 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Khris Middleton | 33 | 7 | 6 | 8 |
Malik Beasley contributed 20 points and 2 rebounds. Damian Lillard also recorded 20 points including 5 rebounds and 7 assists during the game. Their bench players barely contributed over five points and they collectively scored 11 points.